Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Self Promotion...

...I've never liked it. Shamelessly talking about your work. Promoting your name. Getting yourself known. If praise is poison then notoriety is the last breath before the death of humility. Beware. A book release could happen to you very soon.

I am, sadly, a sales wimp. The marketing guys tried to convince me that its normal for authors to market their work.

"Dave, its what authors do."

"You want me to tell people they have to read my book? What am I gonna do, take away their temple recommend?"

"We can arrange that."

"I forgot. Deseret Book purchased you guys, didn't they."

"Marketing is like a caffeinated drinker denier."

"I don't drink."

"You say you don't, but you do."

"Look. I really don't."

"Get out there, smile a lot, tell 'em they've gotta read your book and show 'em that cool cover."

"I didn't do the cover."

"They can make millions off the secrets in your book."

"Its fiction."

"Self help money books are hot right now."

"All I wanted to do was entertain and inform."

"Look. You don't sell and you can kiss your entertaining and informing fantasies goodbye."

"So that's how it is?"

"That's how it always is."

I asked the editorial department if I could rewrite chapter twenty four, put a few money making secrets in there somewhere. They said it was already type set. The only changes I could make were simple spelling errors, a word choice, maybe a phrase if it was absolutely necessary to the plot. I suggested a few. Double your shekels on beach front property in Jerusalem. When the price of a yearling lamb hits five pieces of silver, buy. Money changing is a noble profession. They said the changes were likely not a good selection given the context of the scene. Captain Laban's death by beheading.

They gave me a copy of the newly released cover with the text of the the back liner and told me I had to post it. If I didn't they were going to pry open my mouth and force feed me a bottle of Coke. Read this for my sake. Please!

*Author's Note: I don't want to offend the editorial department, but I've got a more powerful back liner than this. My mother finished reading an advanced copy of Day of Remembrance last night. She called first thing this morning to say it was remarkable. Beat that endorsement marketing guys. If mom likes it I'll smile, I'll tell 'em they've got to buy a copy, and I'll show 'em the cool cover. Read Day of Remembrance. Its mother approved!

Inside Front Flap

Old World 600 B.C.: Under mandate from their prophet-father, the sons of Lehi face treachery and lethal danger as they seek to secure the brass plates from the ruthless Captain Laban. Meanwhile, Zoram and Elizabeth work feverishly to smith new plates and engrave the prophecies of Jeremiah--a vital task that must be completed before the Feast of the Trumpets, celebrated on the Day of Remembrance.

Old World, 19th Century: In his home built above the remains of Laban's treasury, Sephardic Jew Reuben Kessler anticipates the marriage of his son Danny on the Day of Remembrance. When tragedy strikes on the blessed day, the devastated fathers of the bride and groom must cling to their faith that God will remember His covenant people.

New World, 19th Century: Commissioned by the Angel Moroni, Joseph Smith Jr. endures harrowing challenges as he prepares to receive the plates of Gold and translate them into the Book of Mormon. The fulfillment of ancient promises draws near as Joseph returns each year to the Hill Cumorah on the Day of Remembrance.

Three families, three stories—yet in the grand design of the Lord, they intertwine as one. This fourth volume in the Promised Land saga bridges ancient and modern times to reveal the unfolding of a marvelous work and a wonder.

Cover Back Liner

Jeremiah held his hand to is mouth and coughed before saying, "Hidden in the calendar given to Moses is the appointed day for the record to come forth in the fullness of times...I must ready the brass plates to have part in that future Day of Remembrance, and curse any man who seeks to stop me, curse him to death."

Emotionally thrilling, spiritually uplifting, and richly satisfying, Day of Remembrance is the powerful story of the restoration of a timeless principle...kept alive in a brass-plate record sequestered deep in the treasury of Laban, captain of the Israelite guard at the turn of the sixth century before Christ.

This magnificent fourth volume in the Promised Land series takes the reader on a journey that is bold and sweeping in its scope, from the dangerous and intriguing politics of Jerusalem in 589 B.C., to the travails of Lehi and his family in the Sinai wilderness, to a nineteenth-century setting in the Old City of Jerusalem, and on to a young prophet in Palmyra New York, poised on the brink of the most significant events of the latter days.

This is David Woolley as his best. A matchless mixture of robust writing and meticulous research that deftly weaves together the human and divine strands to produce a tapestry of faith, obedience, and courage against all odds, where success seems impossible, but failure is unthinkable. The stunning impact of this story will linger long after the last pages have been turned.

Inside Back Flap

Author David G. Woolley's research of Old and New World archaeology, anthropology, and religion uniquely position him to write the Promised Land Series and bridge the ancient cultures of two hemispheres, bringing to life the times and places of the restoration scripture known as the Book of Mormon. His writing carefully blends the imaginative wonder of storytelling with the tangible world of historical events to delight, uplift, and inform readers who venture into the pages crafted by his hand.

Dr. Woolley earned a master's degree at the University of Iowa and a doctoral degree from Brigham Young University. He worked as the head soccer coach at Brigham Young University for six years and was also instrumental in establishing the Rangers Soccer Club (www.utahrangers.com) for youth players, where he is employed as the director of coaching.

David maintains the Promised Land website and the Top of the Morning blog, where he is busy in his writing room detailing the historical and inspirational background of the characters and settings that inspired this series. Please join him online for more of the Promised Land and for a sneak peak at future releases.

14 comments:

This was one area that I was always frustrated with when I worked for a publisher. I used to always tell our authors, when the gave the same arguments that you give, "You are the one that knows your work the best. I can read your book and love it and then spend all day and night talking about it and still not be as enthused as you are. If you can't let everyone know how wonderful your book is, if you can't be enthused about your work, how do you expect others to be?"

And you already know how enthusiastic I am about your work. So get out there and tell people about it!

To borrow a Utah phrase, Oh my heck, Dave, promote away! I want to congratulate the writer of the back cover liner -- it is your best thus far (am I allowed to say that? delete if you have too ...).

I would also highly recommend that any one who hasn't read any of your books yet, treat themselves to starting with volume 1 then on through 2 and 3 -- if they start today and don't mind that they won't be able to get much else done, they can be done in time for the release of volume 4. It's perfect really :)

If I'd followed this plan maybe I would have got some Christmas shopping done last year between Thanksgiving and mid-December ...

Okay Sandra and Francie: I rewrote this Self Promotion post to make it a little more, well, promotional. Does it meet your approval?

And Francie I agree. This is my best work so far. While there is still room for all sorts of improvement.

And sorry about ruining your Christmas shopping last year. I noticed that your kids didn't have any new clothes. Everyone: meet Francie, one of very few if any first readers. She did a great job giving me feedback. Things like:

Now Dave, you know my feedback for "Day of Remembrance" was all positive. Well, except for when I stopped talking to you because of that tragedy mentioned in the inside front flap -- I can't believe reader's are being given a heads up about that!

I think you're getting confused -- the negative feedback came as I began volume two ... Does the word 'tedious' ring any bells?

David, David, David don't ever mention to your publisher that your mother likes it. They just roll their eyes when an author tells them that relatives like it, because relatives are supposed to like it, they have to, it's in the relative contract and by laws. It is in big, bold letters at the top of the mom contract. They don't let you take your beautiful bundle of joy home from the hospital until you agree to love every thing your child ever does, draws, writes or creates in any way shape or form.

ok, I'll give you that. But that is why you have to tell people that you wrote a little book. Then they will ask you what it is about, you will tell them, your enthusiasm for your work will shine through, they will be intrigued, buy your book, read it, love it, tell their friends and neighbors and family, who in turn buy your book, read it.....

And then book sales go up, you are happy, Covenant is happy, Marketing guys are happy and you are responsible for all that happiness just because you said, "I wrote a book". See how easy that is?

Of course she does, and I tell my kids that at least 20 thousand times a day. My working publicity side kicked in just then. So, I am a mom and mom knows best so get out there and tell people about your book!

And really? I can barely wait to agree with your mom about how good your book is, because we both know I am going to agree with her. When I FINALLY get one.

Hey Dave, I gave Volume Four a little plug on my blog http://notesfromjenniesdesk.blogspot.com and I haven't even read it yet. My column is due Monday and it's killing me that I have to finish a couple of other books I've already started writing reviews for before I get the pleasure of reading yours. I loved the other three volumes so I'm expecting great things from this one.

Thanks Jennie. How in the world did I get so lucky to have you decide you'd like to review my book? I'm honored by your interest. Many happy reviews to you. And I love your website. How did I not know about it until now?

Thanks for stopping by Top of the Morning. And double thanks for your interest in reading the Promised Land Series. I really hope it meets your high standards and at the same time it really bring to life the Book of Mormon.

Come back again. I'm almost finished with the Boarders post. Should be the best one of the series!

According to my sister Noelle, I am to write and tell you my thoughts on the Promised Land series. I really enjoyed the books! I learned so much and had a hard time imagining that the ficitional characters were just that. I will send you more details, but I don't know if you want me to send them through this blog or what. More details to come...

Featured Side Bar Posts

Where everyday you can join author David G. Woolleyand the Top of the Morning staff for informative, entertaining and uplifting commentary and opinion with special installments dedicated to the fascinating history,archeology, anthropology, and Book of Mormon writings that inspired the publication of five works in the Promised Land historical fiction series and continues to inspire the writing of three more. Check the side-bar below for some of our featured posts from David G. Woolley.

Top of the Morning Readers

The Language of Nephi (Part I)

Click this Mayan glyph to read Part I in a series on Nephite language by David G. Woolley

Birth of a Christmas Carol

Click this Christmas Carol portrait to read a Christmas Short Story by author David G. Woolley

Don't Fake It

Click this molecular photo of aspartame floating in your favorite diet drink to read a fascinating post about artificial sugar and your health by David G. Woolley

Who's A Nephite?

Click this Nephite running from the bruning City of Zarahemla to read this Book of Mormon post by David G. Woolley about who really is a Nephite.

Mission Impossible?

Click this Mission Impossible film still cut to read a Book of Mormon realted post on Christ's admonition to perfection by David G. Woolley

Unlock the Past & Your Soul

Click this recreation of the ancient Jewish Fort Lakhish to read Book of Mormon related post about digging up the ancient past by David G. Woolley

Tomato Soup Nazi

Click this tomato to read a light-hearted healthy post with a killer tomato soup recipe

Ancient Book of Mormon Borders

Click these "border" mountains to read a Book of Mormon post on Old and New World geography related to the restoration scripture by David G. Woolley

Worse Than Beer

Click these root beer bottles to read a funny family story about root beer imposters by David G. Woolley

Lehi's 600 Year "Tun" Prophecy

Click this Mayan calendar to read a Book of Mormon related post on Lehi's 600 year "Tun" prophecy and Alma's 400 year "baktun" prophecy

Do the Honest Thing

Click this once stolen Monet painting of "Two Women in a Boat" to read a post about art theft that spanned decades and destroyed lives

The Refiners Fire

Click this ancient metal rendering of a blacksmith to read the fascinating post on refiniing ancient silver and your modern soul by David G. Woolley

Soccer Dads and the Vote Recount

Summertime on a Shoe String

Click this Zion's Park cliff hanging photo for a fun post on summertime by David G. Woolley

Presidential Politics in Utah

Click Romney & McCain photo to read this entertaining political post by David G. Woolley

The Secret To Happiness

Click the fogged mirror for an insightful post from David G. Woolley

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

Click this Winston Churchill photo for commentary on our times by David G. Woolley

Celebrating Ha-Zikaron

During the 2008 anniversary week between Joseph Smith's first visit with Moroni on the evening of September 21st and the Jewish feast-day celebration of the Feast of Trumpets on Monday, September 29th, author David G. Woolley and the Top of the Morning Staff presented a week-long series of posts dedicated to celebrating the Day of Remembrance. Links to the dedicatory posts can be found below in the side bar. We hope you enjoy being part of the celebration as much as we do.

On This Night

Click this well-known Joseph Smith and Moroni painting for an interesting Book of Mormon related post. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with author David G. Woolley.

On This Hill

Click this wooded hill photo for a faithful Book of Mormon post. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with author David G. Woolley.

On This Prophetic Date

Click this Hebrew calendar to read this cosmic Book of Mormon related tpost. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with author David G. Woolley.

Sariah & the Brass Plates

Click this bell-shaped brass plate to read a fascinating Book of Mormon post. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with Author David G. Woolley

Feast of Trumpets

Click this shofar (trumpet) to read a Book of Mormon related post about the Jewish celebration of the Feast of Trumpets. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with author David G. Woolley

Divine Calendars

Click this mayan glyphic stone calendar to read an interesting Book of Mormon related post on the origination of calendars. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with author David G. Woolley.

Happy Day of Remembrance

Click this Rosh Hashanah greeting card to read the final Book of Mormon related post in this series. Celebrating the Day of Remembrance with author David G. Woolley.

Eat Well, Live Well

The Top of the Morning staff is pleased to feature the following side-bar posts on healthy eating by David G. Woolley. We hope it helps you feel great.

The Business of Food

Click Veggies to read this popular healthy food introductory post by David G.Woolley

Raising the Red Falg

Click the flag for a sobering post on what we eat by David G. Woolley

Getting It Straight

Click this backwards clock for commentary on healthy eating by David G. Woolley

Gotta Have It?

Click this junk food for a post on healthy eating by David G. Woolley

The Gift of Tongues

Click this tongue to read a healthy post by David G. Woolley

Introducing the Promised Land

The Top of the Morning staff is pleased to introduce you to author David G. Woolley's Promised Land Series. You can visit his Promised Land Website or click on any of the side bar book cover icons below and have a look inside. Welcome to the Promised Land.

The Promised Land Website

Click on David G. Woolley at the Guatemalan ruins of Tikal to enter the Promised Land where you're sure to find the author hard at work in his writing room